Mark, I've been in elk camps since about 1950 (beater boy) and I shot my first elk in 1954 at 15. I've harvested one almost every year since then except when I was in the service from 1956 to 1960. I'd guess we've killed a couple hundred elk in our camps over the years. Ho hum. Learn to step before you leap. I have owned and shot a .257 on mule deer but never on elk and would not use it for elk. It was good for most mule deer situations. I have too much respect for these animals to use a .25 caliber on elk. Never have owned a 25-06 - never saw the need to. I stick with what I said: use as much gun as your capable and confident in using. My minimum recomendation would be a .270. Nothing wrong with that .340. Vic/